ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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New hand bacteria study holds promise for forensics identification (March 16, 2010) -- Forensic scientists may soon have a valuable new item in their toolkits -- a way to identify individuals using unique, telltale types of hand bacteria left behind on objects like keyboards and computer mice, says a new study. ... > full story
Studies reveal substantial increases in non-melanoma skin cancers (March 16, 2010) -- Both new diagnoses and a history of non-melanoma skin cancer appear to have become increasingly common, and the disease affects more individuals than all other cancers combined, according to two new reports. ... > full story
Diabetes' link to eating disorders explored (March 16, 2010) -- Diabetics, under the gun to better manage their disease by controlling their food intake and weight, may find themselves in the sticky wicket of needing treatment that makes them hungry, researchers said. ... > full story
Palpable breast cancers are more common in women not undergoing annual mammography (March 16, 2010) -- New research findings indicate that some breast cancers continue to be detected as a palpable lump rather than being found through mammographic screening. Patients who presented with palpable tumors -- those detected as a result of breast complaint or during examination -- had larger tumors and were at a more advanced stage at diagnosis. ... > full story
Yellow fever strikes monkey populations in South America (March 16, 2010) -- A group of Argentine scientists have announced that yellow fever is the culprit in a 2007-2008 die-off of howler monkeys in northeastern Argentina, a finding that underscores the importance of paying attention to the health of wildlife and how the health of people and wild nature are so closely linked. ... > full story
Trauma of war doubles asthma risk among civilians (March 16, 2010) -- Living through the trauma of war seems to increase the risk of developing asthma, suggests new research. ... > full story
One gene lost = one limb regained? Scientists demonstrate mammalian regeneration through a single gene deletion (March 16, 2010) -- The absence of a single gene, called p21, confers a healing potential in mice long thought to be reserved only for creatures like flatworms, sponges, and some species of salamander: regeneration. Researchers demonstrate that mice that lack the gene can regenerate lost or damaged tissue, suggesting that such an ability may be granted to mammals by blocking the effects of p21. ... > full story
Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease (March 16, 2010) -- Researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits. ... > full story
Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections (March 16, 2010) -- Biologists have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms. ... > full story
Researchers uncover new data about protein function in Joubert syndrome (March 16, 2010) -- Researchers in Ireland have gained new understanding of the role played by the cilial protein Arl13b in Joubert syndrome (JS), a rare disorder characterized by developmental delay, mental retardation, and low muscle tone, among other symptoms. ... > full story
Potential CITES trade ban for rare salamander underscores wildlife e-commerce (March 16, 2010) -- A little-known Iranian salamander is poised to become the first example of a species requiring international government protection because of e-commerce -- a major threat to endangered wildlife that authorities are struggling to address. ... > full story
Young Britons see significantly more smoking in movies than US peers (March 16, 2010) -- Young Britons see significantly more on-screen smoking in movies than their US peers, finds new research. ... > full story
Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's (March 15, 2010) -- An international team of scientists have sequenced the genome of Hydra, a freshwater polyp that's been a staple of biological research for 300 years. ... > full story
Plaque on CT scan is strong predictor of heart disease, worse long-term outcomes (March 15, 2010) -- The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a new study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque. High levels of the abdominal aortic calcium also increased their risk of dying, researchers say ... > full story
Crowded houses: Why our peripheral vision may not be as random as we think (March 15, 2010) -- As you read this, you may notice that the word directly in front of you is clear, but all the surrounding words are hard to make out. For most people, this effect is not a problem. However, for millions of people worldwide with eye disease, it can make everyday tasks such as reading or recognizing friends a challenge. Researchers have made new insights into this process. ... > full story
'Tommy John' elbow reconstruction 95 percent successful with grown teen pitchers, study says (March 15, 2010) -- A new study has found that 95 percent of skeletally mature high school pitchers were satisfied with their "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery. Almost as many (94.7 percent) returned to competitive baseball. ... > full story
Peru mahogany decision highlights overlooked timber proposals at CITES (March 15, 2010) -- Beyond the headline-grabbing proposals on bluefin tuna and ivory trade, the largest wildlife trade convention meeting this week will also address several timber-related issues -- an often overlooked responsibility of the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. ... > full story
Emergency online communities: Building social networks to help the disadvantaged during disaster recovery (March 15, 2010) -- Online social networks could help with communications and recovery for people with disabilities following major natural disasters, or even terrorist attack, according a new research paper. ... > full story
When did the first 'modern' human beings appear in the Iberian Peninsula? (March 15, 2010) -- New research has stirred up scientific debate about the appearance of the first "modern" human beings on the Iberian Peninsula and their possible bearing on the extinction of the Neanderthals. ... > full story
Researchers solve a molecular mystery in muscle (March 15, 2010) -- Despite widespread interest in insulin-like growth factors, key details about how these potent molecules work on muscle cells have been lacking. Researchers have now cleared up a longstanding mystery about the workings of IGFs. The team's findings could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and new ways of preventing the muscle loss that accompanies aging. ... > full story
Phobos flyby images: proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission (March 15, 2010) -- Images from the recent flyby of Phobos, on March 7, 2010, have been released. The images show Mars' rocky moon in exquisite detail, with a resolution of just 4.4 m per pixel. They show the proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission. ... > full story
Oscillations at odds in the heart (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers show that a classical biological oscillator, the glycolytic oscillator, may increase damage to the heart during acute loss of oxygen (anoxia), and as may occur during ischemia. ... > full story
Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference (March 15, 2010) -- WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife. ... > full story
Wealth buys health -- even in China (March 15, 2010) -- A new study from North Carolina State University shows that rich people tend to be healthier than poor people in China - a trend also seen in the US. However, there is one key difference. In China, the overall health gap across generations is getting narrower -- and it's getting wider in the US. ... > full story
Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers have described a new carnivorous amphibian from western Pennsylvania. The 300-million-year-old remarkably preserved fossil is one of few amphibians displaying evidence of a land-based life history so early in time. The rocks where Fedexia was found are nearly 20 million years older than those of its fossil relatives, suggesting that the group's expansion occurred much earlier than previously thought. ... > full story
Better genetic test for autism? Chromosomal microarray analysis picks up more abnormalities than current tests (March 15, 2010) -- A large study from Children's Hospital Boston and the Boston-based Autism Consortium finds that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis, has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) than standard tests. ... > full story
Carbon emissions 'outsourced' to developing countries (March 15, 2010) -- Scientists report that over a third of carbon dioxide emissions associated with consumption of goods and services in many developed countries are actually emitted outside their borders. The study finds that, per person, about 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide are consumed in the US but produced somewhere else. For Europeans, the figure can exceed four tons per person. Most of these emissions are outsourced to developing countries, especially China. ... > full story
Gene discovered for newly recognized disease in Amish children (March 15, 2010) -- The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and physicians who specializes in disorders of the Amish. The identification of the new multisystem autoimmune disorder and the recessive gene that causes it have just been published ... > full story
Interventional radiology: Zapping uterine fibroids with heat from high-energy sound waves (March 15, 2010) -- There's a new interventional radiology tool showing promise in the treatment of uterine fibroids: magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), a minimally invasive treatment that uses high-energy ultrasound waves to generate heat at a specific point to destroy uterine fibroid tissue and relieve symptoms. ... > full story
Confidence is key to gauging impressions we make (March 15, 2010) -- The gift of "seeing ourselves as others see us" comes in handy when judging how we've made a first impression. Yet many come away with little or no clue about how that first impression was perceived. A new study suggests confidence is a key indicator of how well we've assessed impressions left behind. ... > full story
Unlocking the opium poppy's biggest secret: Genes that make codeine, morphine (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, opening the door to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or controlling the production of these compounds in the plant. ... > full story
Body's anticipation of a meal can be a diabetes risk factor (March 15, 2010) -- Alterations in our response to the taste or smell of food may be another culprit responsible for Type 2 diabetes, according to scientists who have identified the specific mechanism in human specimens and in mice. ... > full story
Decoding the long calls of the orangutan (March 15, 2010) -- Research into the long calls of male orangutans in Borneo has given scientists new insight into how these solitary apes communicate through dense jungle. An acoustic analysis of the calls reveals that the calls not only serve to attract females, but also contain information on the identity and the context of the caller. ... > full story
Minimally invasive sports hernia repair may get athletes 'back in the game' faster, study says (March 15, 2010) -- A new minimally invasive sports hernia repair gets athletes back in the game 3 times faster than the traditional repair, according to a new study. Sports hernias were often difficult to diagnose and prior to this new repair had a lengthy rehabilitation time. ... > full story
Turning up the heat: Finding out how well the Webb telescope's sunshield will perform (March 15, 2010) -- Keeping an infrared telescope at very cold operating temperatures isn't an option, it's an absolute necessity. Serving as a radiation blocker, the Webb telescope sunshield is subjected to nearly 100,000 thermal watts of solar heat, and reduces that to one tenth of a watt on the cold side, a million to one reduction. ... > full story
New insight on how fast nicotine peaks in the brain (March 15, 2010) -- Nicotine takes much longer than previously thought to reach peak levels in the brains of cigarette smokers, according to new research. ... > full story
New microscopy technique offers close-up, real-time view of cellular phenomena (March 15, 2010) -- For two decades, scientists have been pursuing a potential new way to treat bacterial infections, using naturally occurring proteins known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Now, scientists have recorded the first microscopic images showing the deadly effects of AMPs, most of which kill by poking holes in bacterial cell membranes. ... > full story
Pancreatic cancer study reveals mechanism initiating disease, in mice (March 15, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered how a mutated gene known as Kras is able to hijack mouse cells damaged by acute pancreatitis, putting them on the path to becoming pancreatic cancer cells. ... > full story
'Microtentacles' on tumor cells appear to play role in how breast cancer spreads (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that "microtentacles," or extensions of the plasma membrane of breast cancer cells, appear to play a key role in how cancers spread to distant locations in the body. Targeting these microtentacles, which are linked to a protein called "tau," might prove to be a new way to prevent or slow the growth of these secondary cancers, the scientists say. ... > full story
Inner workings of the inflammatory response to Leishmaniasis (March 15, 2010) -- The secret world of inflammation is slowly being revealed by the application of advanced techniques in microscopy, as shown in a new study. Researchers used 2-photon microscopy to identify how killer T lymphocytes behaved when they enter sites of inflammation caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, and which infected cells they were able to recognize. ... > full story
New 'hearing' maps are real conversation starters (March 15, 2010) -- Innovative sound-mapping software based on human hearing has been developed to help architects design out unwanted noise. The new software generates audibility maps of proposed room designs. ... > full story
Free hormonal contraception halved termination rate, Norwegian study finds (March 15, 2010) -- Free hormonal contraception was offered for a year to young women in two Norwegian cities. The result was that the abortion rate in the trial cities was halved. ... > full story
Psychopaths' brains wired to seek rewards, no matter the consequences (March 15, 2010) -- The brains of psychopaths appear to be wired to keep seeking a reward at any cost, new research finds. The research uncovers the role of the brain's reward system in psychopathy and opens a new area of study for understanding what drives these individuals. ... > full story
New cancer drug screening technique more closely mirrors reality (March 15, 2010) -- Improving on traditional screening tests for potential anti-cancer drugs, scientists have developed a laboratory technique that more closely simulates the real-world conditions in which tumor cells mingle with the body's normal cells. ... > full story
Scientists glimpse nanobubbles on super non-stick surfaces (March 15, 2010) -- Scientists have obtained the first glimpse of minuscule air bubbles that keep water from wetting a super non-stick surface. The research could lead to a new class of non-stick materials for a range of applications, including improved-efficiency power plants, speedier boats and surfaces that are resistant to contamination by germs. ... > full story
Vitamin D and calcium interplay explored (March 15, 2010) -- Increasing calcium intake is a common -- yet not always successful -- strategy for reducing bone fractures. But a new study underscores the importance of vitamin D and its ability to help the body utilize calcium. The study also may explain why increasing calcium alone isn't always successful in dealing with this problem. ... > full story
Purple loosestrife: Climate may keep beautiful invasive plant in check (March 15, 2010) -- The flowering plant -- purple loosestrife -- has been heading north since it was first introduced from Europe to the eastern seaboard 150 years ago. This exotic invader chokes out native species and has dramatically altered wetland habitats in North America. But it turns out it may have a vulnerability after all: the northern climate. Canadian scientists have found that adapting to the Great White North carries a severe reproductive penalty that may limit its spread. ... > full story
Hospices rarely deactivate defibrillators in patients, survey finds (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers have found that patients admitted to hospice care who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are rarely having their ICDs deactivated and are receiving electrical shocks from these devices near the end of life. ... > full story
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